The 8 most beautiful towns in Madrid that are not confined to go on the Bridge
The perimeter closure
forces
Madrid residents to once again limit their escapes within the region.
To be positive, it is a great opportunity to discover the many charming towns that dot the Community.
Apart from the best known, such as Chinchón, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, Buitrago de Lozoya ..., the options of running into true wonders outside of those with the greatest claim are enormous.
Medieval, mountain, in the middle of the valley and even close to the beach! We propose nine lesser-known towns, outside the
tourist circuit
, to go on an excursion and avoid crowds this bridge of San José and Easter.
Zarzalejo
Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Oeste, 55 km from Madrid, the small municipality of 1,700 inhabitants was once a place of recreation and rest for Felipe II.
Its historic center, made up of streets, houses and squares of traditional mountain type, houses among its artistic heritage
the Church of San Pedro Apóstol
, which was completed in 1619, and the
fountains of Caño Viejo
(18th century) and
Caño New
(1850).
San Lorenzo de El Escorial from El pico del fraile, in Zarzalejo.
But the town is better known for the wonderful natural environment that surrounds it, since it is located at the foot of the impressive mountain formations known as Las Machotas, and for its quarries, from which the granite with which the stone was raised was extracted. Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
For those who love hiking, the town has several signposted paths that go up to enclaves such as El Pico del Fraile (with fantastic views of the town and El Escorial), Los Tres Ermitaños, or even La Silla de Felipe II.
Along the way are the chestnut trees of El Contanillo or La Fuente del Rey, authentic botanical jewels with hundred-year-old specimens.
Where to eat: In
front of the church,
El Roble
(Plaza del Llano del Soldado, 9. Tel .: 918 99 29 95) specializes in grilled meats from the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Torrejón de Velasco and Torrejón de la Calzada
Castle of Torrejón de Velasco.
These two neighboring municipalities are located about 28 km south of the capital.
At the entrance of
Torrejón de Velasco
, there are the spectacular ruins of the
castle
, cataloged as a Site of Cultural Interest with the category of Monument since 1949. Its origin dates back to the 13th century, although most of the construction was carried out in the 15th century. , following the orders of its owner, the Bishop of Palencia Gutiérrez Gómez de Toledo.
Since the 18th century, the fortress has served as a soap and wool spinning factory, as well as a warehouse for agricultural machinery and a place to collect cattle.
4 km away is
Torrejón de la Calzada
, a small town to walk around and admire its heritage.
Its oldest monument is the
Church of San Cristóbal
, built in the 16th century on a construction from the 12th century.
Other outstanding places are the
Fuente de la Peñuela
, next to a beautiful park, and the Town Hall in the Plaza de España.
Where to eat:
grilled meat and varied servings at
La Fuente de la Teja
(Calle de los Robles, Torrejón de Velasco. Tel .: 918 124 318).
For tapas,
El Torreón
(calle de Cádiz, 28, Torrejón de la Calzada).
Paracuellos del Jarama
Views of Madrid from the Mirador de Paracuellos.
On the banks of the river Jarama and perched on a hill is this beautiful municipality, called the balcony of Madrid for the views it has over the capital.
To enjoy them, it is recommended to go up to any of
its viewpoints
, such as Paracuellos or Picón del Cura, whose spectacular views are joined by the takeoffs and landings of planes at the neighboring Barajas-Adolfo Suárez airport.
Other not very well-known charms of this city in the region of the Jarama Middle Basin are the
Church of San Vicente Mártir
, of great dimensions, inaugurated in 1581 and paid for by the Dukes of Medinacelli, closely linked to the municipality;
the elegant
Medinaceli Palace
(1541),
the Martyrs Cemetery
, in honor of the people shot in November 1936, during the Civil War;
or the remains
of the Malsobaco Castle
, a triangular fortress dating from the 9th century, approximately.
Several hiking routes depart from the town that run along the river and other places full of vegetation that reach places such as the old laundry, the Dry Fountain or Las Lagunas de Belvis, one of the most unique ecosystems in the Community of Madrid.
Where to eat:
Traditional and homemade cuisine and a large cellar in
El Albero
(Paquito Muñoz, 5. Tel .: 916 580 989).
Varied menu and weekend menus at
Paracuellos Mesón Restaurante
(Calle Real, 36. Tel .: 916 58 42 67).
Navalcarnero
With its more than 500 years of history, the Villa Real de Navalcarnero is a treasure to discover for many located 31 km southwest of Madrid.
Strolling through its streets flanked by hermitages and humiliating places dating from the seventeenth century, in perfect condition, is to travel to centuries past.
In its spectacular Plaza Mayor, called
Plaza de Segovia
, with an irregular plan, surrounded by buildings of three heights with porticoes and wooden balconies, including the
Old Town Hall
, stands the Church of
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
(16th century), in whose interior highlights the altarpiece of the main altar, as well as the royal chapel, in which Felipe IV and Mariana of Austria were married.
It is worth entering the
Interpretation Center
(Calle de San José, 4), which has the recreation of a farmhouse, a winery and the cave where the jars are kept, in addition to the exhibition of old tools for the work agricultural (entry: 2 euros).
Where to eat:
Market cuisine from the sea and the land in
Senderuela
(Mari-Martín, 1; Tel .: 669 66 87 94), where you can have a snack at the bar or taste shared or à la carte dishes in the dining room with Terrace.
The rustic
Cuevas del Tío Juanón
(Calle de la Iglesia, 4. Tel .: 918 11 33 12) offers traditional Castilian cuisine.
Ear apiary
Plaza Mayor of Colmenar de Oreja.
This town in the southeast of the Community, 40 km from the capital, like the neighboring Chinchón, stands out for its emblematic
Plaza Mayor
, a typical Castilian porticoed square from the 18th century, in which the Town Hall and the
Casa del Pósito
are integrated.
It was a former communal barn that provided bread for walkers and beggars, as well as a municipal court, prison, a night watchman's checkpoint, a wood store (to prepare the plaza for the steers), a children's school and a library.
The gardens and the Arch of Zacatín, the hermitage of Cristo del Humilladero and the Church of Santa María la Mayor, built by the Order of Santiago in the 13th century in the shape of a fortress, are some of the places to visit in the town.
But one of the biggest attractions of the town is the
Ulpiano Checa Museum
(1860-1916), in honor of the painter born in Colmenar de Oreja.
It contains the most extensive collection of the artist throughout nine rooms and a gallery (entry: 7 euros).
Where to eat
: typical dishes of the area, such as stewed meat or
cool
potatoes
in
El Casinillo
(Calle de Madrid, 2. Tel .: 918 94 47 18), also in
El Palique
(Plaza Mayor, 3. Tel. : 918 94 47 73).
San Martin de Valdeiglesias
The urban center of the town, located at the western end of the Community, bordering the provinces of Ávila and Toledo, is presided over by the
Castillo de la Coracera
, a spectacular fortress built in the 15th century (entrance fee: 4 euros).
It also has a series of hermitages, such as Ecce Homo, Nuestra Señora de la Salud and what they call
Hermitage of Blood
.
Pantano de San Juan, San Martin de Valdeiglesias.
But what stands out most of the municipality are its surroundings.
At 6 km is the Pantano de San Juan, better known as
Madrid Beach
, for having 14 km of sandy areas where swimming and water activities are allowed.
The reservoir is formed by the Alberche River, a tributary of the Tagus, and is surrounded by a privileged natural environment between pine forests and hills full of paths for hiking enthusiasts.
The area has a marina, with a pier, restaurants, shops ...).
3 km south of San Martín de Valdeiglesias is the Enchanted Forest, a botanical garden with more than 500 plant species from around the world and more than 300 living plant-based sculptures of impossible sizes, as well as labyrinths, cactus exhibits , bonsai, aromatic plants, etc.
(entry: 10 euros),
Where to eat
:
Valleyglesias
restaurant
(Calle de la Corredera Alta, 28. Tel .: 607 69 73 55) is a modern bistro with imaginative cuisine and a cellar with natural wines.
Soto del Real
Soto del Real Medieval Bridge.
In the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama, between Miraflores de la Sierra and Manzanares El Real, the location of this typical mountain town is ideal to enjoy nature.
The urban nucleus is crossed by the Mediano, Chozas and Matarrubias streams, tributaries of the Manzanares, which discharge into the nearby Santillana reservoir.
All kinds of routes depart from it (family, mountain, urban, cycling, ascents ...), such as the Arroyo del Recuenco, the Collado de la Dehesilla or the Vuelta a la Najarra, among others (more information , here).
It is recommended to do the
Green Belt
, a circular route lasting one hour that passes through the most emblematic monuments of the town (the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Romanesque bridge, the hermitage of Rosario ...), advances through the
Cañada Real
, where you can see the numerous storks that nest in the area, especially in the amphibian ponds, and ends in the
Plaza de la Villa
.
Between the town center and the Cañada Real is located the charming
Parque del Río
, a town of hundred-year-old ash trees, pruned like a
cat's head
.
Where to eat
: Grilled local meat in
La Cabaña
(Pza. De Chozas, s / n. Tel .: 918477882) and specialized in lamb and suckling pig,
Los Pepes
(Real, 8. Tel .: 918476395).
Horcajuelo de la Sierra
Horcajuelo de la Sierra.
Beautiful town of about 90 inhabitants located at an altitude of 1,200 m in the heart of Sierra del Rincón, declared a Biosphere Reserve.
In addition to its privileged natural environment, through which it is worth
getting lost
along its many paths, the town constitutes one of the best examples of rural architectural ensemble in the entire Community.
Its
perfectly preserved
dark stone houses
are of enormous beauty.
The Ethnological Museum or the Church of San Nicolás de Bari are worth a stop when strolling through its narrow streets.
Among the most recommended walking routes to enjoy the municipality are the Camino de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, the Camino de Pilillas, which leads to an old mill or a route through the cattle trails.
Just 3 km away is the spectacular
Montejo de la Sierra
beech forest
.
Where to eat:
The
Rincón del Cárabo
(Pozas, 40. Tel .: 625 074 831)
is located in a stone house
, with traditional dishes from the area.
It has a nice terrace.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Campisábalos, a treasure to discover where you can breathe the purest air
EXCURSIONCuenca Media del Jarama, a jewel to discover a step away from Madrid
The 10 destinations dreamed of by the Spanish to travel in Holy Week
See links of interest
Work calendar
Atlético - Athletic, live
PSG - Barcelona, live
Liverpool - RB Leipzig